Experts see Cowboys getting shot to pick USC tackle Smith

Updated 1:19 pm, Thursday, March 31, 2011

An arm span of 36 3/8 inches and a 307-pound frame have USC offensive lineman Tyron Smith climbing up the draft boards.

An arm span of 36 3/8 inches and a 307-pound frame have USC offensive lineman Tyron Smith climbing up the draft boards.

Photo: Jeff Golden/Getty Images

Experts see Cowboys getting shot to pick USC tackle Smith

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Tyron Smith's long arms left him short on clothing options as a youngster.

“It was tough to buy shirts with long enough sleeves,” he said.

Years later, Smith's arm span is a huge asset. At the NFL Scouting Combine last month, the Southern California alum measured an impressive 363/8 inches, a good 2 inches longer than what scouts consider ideal for an offensive tackle.

The length of Smith's arms isn't the only so-called measurable that has helped him climb draft boards. He tipped the scales at 307 pounds in Indianapolis after playing at 285 as a junior right tackle for the Trojans last season.

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Smith, who stands 6-foot-5, stressed to reporters at the combine that his weight gain was of the healthy variety. He said swearing off junk food was key.

“Basically, I started eating right,” said Smith, an All-Pac 10 performer in 2010. “I ate right three meals a day — breakfast, lunch and dinner — and had little snacks. ... In college, it was McDonald's all day every day. Breakfast (now) is an omelet with toast and things like that.”

Smith is one of 30 draft prospects the Dallas Cowboys are expected to interview next month in Irving. With injuries and age combining to weaken Marc Colombo's grip on right tackle, the Cowboys have several offensive linemen on their radar as they ponder how to use the ninth overall choice.

Scouts like Smith's athleticism, massive 11-inch hands and strength. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 29 times at the combine, an impressive showing for someone with such long arms. He has little body fat, outstanding balance and operates well in space.

“Tyron Smith is the most underrated offensive linemen in this draft,” ESPN analyst Todd McShay said.

But with that said, McShay wouldn't be surprised if Smith is a top-10 pick.

“He has good natural balance,” McShay said. “He's trying to add bulk now. ... He's really impressive with what he can do.”

Smith described himself at the combine as a “high-effort guy with both speed and power.” He said he did interviews in Indianapolis with Pittsburgh, Cleveland and New Orleans. The New York Giants are also reportedly interested in Smith.

McShay's latest mock draft has the Cowboys selecting Smith. The National Football Post's Wes Bunting also likes Dallas taking Smith.

“It's rare to find an offensive tackle with Smith's dimensions, length and overall movement skills,” Bunting wrote in his latest mock draft.

Citing a knee injury from late last season, Smith skipped drills at the combine. He needed to show scouts at USC's pro day Wednesday that his weight gain hasn't hurt his agility.

If all goes well in Los Angeles, it's a safe bet Smith will be a top-15 pick. His age also helps his cause. He turned 20 in December, meaning he should continue to fill out physically, especially under the tutelage of an NFL strength coach.